My journey from a technical and strict discipline of forensic and composite art to fine art. I'm trying to unfurl my wings to fly into this new field but I'm still struggling to get out of my cocoon!
"To be an artist is to believe in life."
-Henry Moore (1898-1986)

Friday, May 29, 2009

More info on my Mentor

Here is Benny Alba's studio where she does most of her work. This picture only shows about a quarter of this studio. The building also includes areas for three more work spaces she rents out, an upper storage unit, a garage, front gallery, office and library!

One thing that impressed me besides her being a fourth generation artist is that she started showing in museums before galleries. She has the chutzpah and drive that I can readily relate to. So far (fingers crossed) we seem to have hit it off pretty well. Along with the work she has me do, she is generous enough to share tips on doing almost everything that needs to be done [ from setting up a ladder to cutting matboard easier] throughout the day. One of her apprentices rents a studio space from her and her work is fantastic too! Another thing I love is that Benny did not attend art school, [she has a BA in psychology which she used for Crisis Counseling for a time] and she is used to 'black humor' that cops and Emergency personnel use to get through a traumatic event. I love her current series called BONfire. Why don't you check it out here?

I have the kids for the next few days so I am going to work on some project and hopefully will have something to post soon. Thank you for your patience! hugs!

21 comments:

Sheila, her work is so impressive! how wonderful to have a giving and talented mentor. You can feel the power radiating from her studio, it must be so inspiring to go there. Have fun with the kids!sending you many hugs....

Hi, Sheila! such a cool place to work. Glad you have found such a good mentor, and one with a sense of humor, to boot! Sounds like she shares your entrepreneurial spirit and energy. Enjoyed seeing her work on the web site. Birchfield is one of my favorite artists, so I'm partial to that series.Have a great weekend. Look forward to seeing your new work and reading about your adventures whenever you post them. hugs! Liz

Sheila, what a terrific opportunity, but of course, opportunities are worth nothing unless you grab onto them, and you have! You are gutsy and gifted. I checked out your mentor's work -- very nice. I loved her Gallery One in particular. I'm sure you will learn a lot, and the people you meet will be invaluable in your fine art career.

Sheila, congratulations on your apprenticeship! I know you will make the most of it. Wouldn't surprise me if you had your own apprentices, in just the blink of an eye! Hope you have a great weekend with your children, too. I'm so happy for you!

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About Me

I was born in San Francisco but my father moved me and my mom to Japan when I was 11 months old. There he helped set up the new Army HDQRS after WWII. I stayed in Japan until I was 18 and moved back to California to attend college. I have lived in several cities in the Bay Area since then. I was a police officer for 26 years retiring as a Sergeant a few years ago. I was pretty successful as a Forensic Artist and the composite drawings I used to do to help catch crooks and other bad folks. Now that I'm retired, I am trying to catch up and access all that fun and fine art I've missed out on. After seeing all that darkness, I always look for the light in people and situations.